That night they camped on the banks of the river about a quarter of a mile above our friends.
Being a little restless, Masie left her tent near midnight and strolled down to the water's edge.
She had scarcely reached it when she was pounced upon by four men and carried off into the forest.
She did not get an opportunity to cry out until she uttered the screams heard by our friends.
Just as the girl concluded her story the blast of a horn was heard from a point up the river.
"That is father!" exclaimed the girl. "He has just found out that I am missing. I must go to him at once. I am much obliged to you, gentlemen, for your kindness."
She turned her bright eyes upon Jack Howard as she spoke.
That young man promptly took the hint and offered to escort her back to her father.
Accordingly the two set out along the river bank, our hero and his companions taking seats about the fire to await Jack's return.
It was the best part of an hour before the young man got back, and when he did so, he said he had placed the girl safely under her father's care, who seemed to be a nice old man, indeed, and was a very talkative one, too.